Frick Madison

Breuer’s open-floor plans provided the framework for the design, which comprised temporary walls that were virtually floor-to-ceiling and more than a foot thick, creating the sensation of real rooms. These walls were arranged to accommodate carefully considered views between the galleries while also defining a clear counterclockwise circulation flow on each floor.

The collection—exhibited on the second, third, and fourth levels—was organized chronologically and by region, starting on the second floor. Each floor began with sculptures to immediately greet and orient visitors. Higher ceilings on the fourth floor dictated the placement of certain works, including the final room showcasing Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s “Progress of Love” series together for the first time in the Frick’s history.

A defining moment for Frick Madison was the display of Giovanni Bellini’s “St. Francis in the Desert,” one of the museum’s most prized works. The team dedicated a room to this singular piece in a chapel-like setting, with a small window and bench creating a contemplative and reverential space. Frick Madison also featured the Frick Art Reference Library and Reading Room, a lower-level café with views of the sculpture court, staff offices, and museum storage.

Selldorf Architects collaborated closely on the installation with Xavier F. Salomon, Deputy Director, Peter Sharp Chief Curator, Aimee Ng, Curator, of the Frick Collection, and exhibition designer Stephen Saitas.